Tis' the Season for a Holiday Party! If you are hoping to negotiate some good deals, now is the time to do it. Don't wait for December 1st, you will have more power if you book now. If you are working within a budget, that is not a problem, be upfront about it and good vendors can help you maximize your dollars.

When going into a negotiation, be prepared. How far are you willing to compromise what you want to get the price you need. For the best success, both parties need to feel they are getting a fair deal.

Bar bill to high - try doing beer, wine and a signature Holiday drink instead of a full bar

*one of our favs supplied to us by Kristy Montoya of Republic National
Distributing: Southern Egg Nog
1.5 oz Remy Martin VSOP (cognac)
1 oz Cat Daddy Moonshine (now available at most liquor stores)
1/2 oz Creme de Cacao
1/2 oz Frangelico
Cream - top off drink
Garnish with sprinkled nut meg

It is finally chilly outside (or supposed to be) so go with a heavy soup - butternut squash is a great option. Then you can go a little lighter on the entree.

The non-salad Salad

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM- Love a new twist!
Before any entree there is always a salad, leafy greens with cheese, a tomato, blah blah. Try something new, this non-salad salad is an amazing fresh idea prepared by the Chef at the Crowne Plaza -a Ceviche mix of cold shrimp, crab and pico, served in a pineapple and topped with avocado.Great presentation, unique and a delicious surprise, YUM!

Don't get stuck in a food slump, try something new. Remember presentation is art, have fun with it, use your colors!

Tie the Knot

Tie the Knot is a new course providing blushing brides an opportunity to design their weddings in no time. Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life, so enjoy this moment. Let us help you create a comprehensive plan – learn from expert wedding planners on how to set a budget, choose your wedding party, avoid wedding faux pas, work with vendors, and pick wedding attire to fit your style, personality, and body. Get empowered to be a savvy decision maker and put the “Fab” in fabulous in just six weeks.
For more information, call Noemi Silva at 281-290-5991 or email Noemi.silva@lonestar.edu.
Tuition: $63.00 Registration Number: 48092 Course Number: CARTS 3990047 CY100 Location: LSC- CyFair
Meeting Dates: Tuesdays, 11/2/10 – 12/14/10
No class on 11/23/10 Meeting Times: 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Lone Star College - CyFair 9191 Barker Cypress Road * Cypress, TX 77433
TIE THE KNOT

casting call

A Houston based Film Company, Mimeth Pictures, will be holding auditions for a comedy on October 2, 2010 at 3:00PM to 10:00PM. Sides will be provided for all that audition. Monologues are not required. Headshots (or snapshot) and resume are preferred. Details concerning the film will be provided at the auditions. All roles will be unpaid. Meals and copies of DVD will be provided to all those who are cast. Finished film will be submitted to festivals. If there are any questions please contact Jordan Morille 713-206-0568 or Chase Austin 832-818-5554.

New twist on place cards!

I bet you can guess the profession of the groom!

Intern Position

Interns Needed for Dallas office – email: info@envogueevents.com with “Dallas intern” in the subject line. Please send cover letter and resume.

"Cool" vendor

Check it out: Complete ice rink set-up for your event. you can even have a professional skating around to help kick off the party!

smart marketing! good food!

First Time Offer

En Vogue Events is excited to offer for the first time a Custom Wedding Binder for sale for only $49.99! The binder includes a custom time line to keep you on track for YOUR wedding date. It will also include:

* Etiquette Advice
* Reception Music Guide
* Ceremony Music Guide
* Floral worksheets
* Cake Serving Guide
* Traditional Budget - (who pays for what)
* Simple Reception Time line
* Custom Time Line / Calendar
* And other planning worksheets to guide you through you wedding planning process

We are also offering a custom allocated budget designed for you based upon your location, time of year, guest count and expected budget. If you order your binder in the month of August this upgrade will be included free of charge!

Ready to order: email info@envogueevents.com In the subject line put "Help! I need a Binder" and we will contact you for your information.

Royalty Pecan by In Phocus

Hot Topic!

NEW YORK, NY & ROSEVILLE, CA (June 23, 2010) - The world-renowned design icon Preston Bailey prestonbailey.com has joined forces with Lovegevity's Wedding Planning Institute WPI.com, who’s partnered with our team at En Vogue Events envogueevents.com, to create and launch the first event design certification class of its kind, based on Bailey's 30-years of experience with celebrities such as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Joan Rivers, Donna Karan, Liza Minnelli, Matt Lauer, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ivanka Trump and others.

Preston Bailey's Signature Wedding & Event Design course will allow industry professionals to experience the step-by-step processes and techniques utilized by one of the globe's leading wedding and event experts, industry pioneer Bailey. This new course is a comprehensive "how-to" for the industry, providing real behind-the-scenes footage, photographs and documentation, including insights into the wizardry that can make a wedding a one-of-a-kind, magical event for a couple and their guests.

This class will only be offered at a few select Universities across the United States, with the En Vogue Events team being one of the original certified planners with this accreditation as well as teaching it at the University.

"Event design has been a life changing experience for me," said Bailey, founder of Preston Bailey Designs. "I am excited to share my passion for design by working with the experienced team at The Wedding Planning Institute. It's a privilege to help others harness their talents to create weddings and other events that are truly unforgettable occasions."

En Vogue's bride on "Girl Meets Gown" on the WE network

Shelley's dreamed of being a bride since she was a little girl. She even had a bridal magazine subscription when she was 14 years-old! Shelley's envisioned herself in every style of dress for years, and when she comes into Stardust her stylist Marianne must prevent Shelley from trying on every gown in the store! Will she be able to narrow down her choices when it's time to purchase a dress?

Spoiler alert: she did find her dream dress! Cakes by Gina also created a cake that had the same patterns and embellishments as the dress. Shelley was a gorgeous bride on her wedding day as her and her now husband Chad twirled on the dance floor at The Petroleum Club at their reception.

Shelley's also the newest edition to the En Vogue Events Team!

Check it out, New photobooth concept

Mod Booth! The Modern Photobooth!

This is the newest rage in reception entertainment!

Your guests will love this open-air, studio-style photobooth! The cool thing about the modern photobooth is that everyone can see the other guests posing and being silly and take pictures of their own! It's like it's own entertainment area!

For $695 it includes unlimited trips to the booth, a variety of props, options for color/black & white or sepia images, and you get all the images on a cd after the wedding!

There is an attendant at the photobooth at all times and the booth is very easy to set-up and only requires about 8x8 square feet of area to operate in.

Field Trip

We had the privilege of leading a field trip for the Floral Design and Textile classes from College Station High School. We started at Darryl and Co. (http://www.darrylco.com/) and the students were amazed by the warehouse. Then we went on to tour The Bell Tower (http://www.thebelltoweron34th.com/) I think half the students sent picture messages to their parents ready to get married there. Then we went over to Over the Top Linen (http://www.overthetoplinen.com/) where the students were able to learn more about importing textiles. We finished at Pike's Peak wholesalers to quiz the students on their flowers. It was a great time!

Vi's wedding, featured in Wedding in Houston

Real Weddings
Vi T Nguyen to Chad Michael Mar

Wedding Date: Sunday, April 25, 2010
Written by Allison Bagley

Vi Nguyen was determined to have orchids at her wedding. She knew the flowers would have special meaning for her father, who grew up with a love for the rare blooms, and for her family, who has a running joke about how he was never able to keep them alive.

Blooming Gallery used abundant white orchids to decorate the church and the reception at Paraiso Maravilla. The bridesmaids’ bouquets included calla lilies, roses and orchids, while the bridal bouquet mixed the same flowers with fragrant stephanotis.

Vi was very happy with her all-white florals, which provided dramatic contrast to the bright colors of her wedding palette.

Celebrations began with a lingerie shower at Hotel ZaZa. The wedding weekend began with a traditional tea ceremony honoring their shared Asian heritage, followed by a traditional Catholic ceremony. At one point, an emotional Vi took the handkerchief from Mike’s tuxedo pocket to dab her tears, eliciting laughter from the crowd of 200 guests.

Afterwards, friends and family celebrated at an elegant reception, where champagne linens from Any Occasion Party Rental complemented the space’s ornate design. “We wanted a very romantic ambience and the room was filled with candles and flowers,” Vi says. “From the time I was little, I knew I wanted something kind of fairytale-like. It was magical.”

A DJ from Extraordinary Entertainment played a mix of country, Top 40, ’80s and classic-rock hits. “It was pretty upbeat and got the whole crowd to come onto the dance floor,” Vi recalls.

Even the couple’s dogs showed enthusiastic support for the newlyweds. Their tiny Chihuahua dressed in a wedding gown, while their Pomeranian wore a tuxedo. “We wanted to incorporate our beloved pets,” says the bride, who joked during her toast that she never thought she would find a man she would love more than her dogs. “Everyone loved them!”

After guests enjoyed dessert from Cakes by Gina, they filled bags from the amply stocked candy bar to take home as favors. Terri Bishop of En Vogue Events helped to execute the entire event, and Clint Shuttlesworth photographed the festivities.

“Spend the money on a planner!” Vi advises brides-to-be. “We started planning on our own, but quickly realized we needed the help of one. That day we didn’t have to worry about anything. If it went wrong, Terri took care of it.”

Crowne Plaza 's "Wedding On Us"

CROWNE PLAZA HOUSTON WEST
Wedding on Us 2010 Contest - $5000 Giveaway!!!


Register by May 19, 2010
Visit http://www.cphoustonwest.com/weddingonus2010 to submit your entry!


Robert N. Manttari | Catering Sales Manager | IHG
Crowne Plaza Houston West | 14703 Park Row | Houston, TX 77079
Direct: 281.406.1027 | Fax: 281.558.6995 | robert.manttari@ihg.com

Featured Wedding in WIH Magazine

Kathryn Lindsey Doud to Robert Bryan Evans

Wedding Date: Saturday, March 28, 2009
Written by Allison Bagley

Katy Doud and Bryan Evans exchanged vows on a spring day on the patio of Chateau Polonez in front of 150 guests. Rain threatened to spoil their plans for an outdoor ceremony, but the clouds ultimately gave way to sunshine. “We were lucky with the weather,” Katy says. “It turned out to be beautiful.”

The couple’s ceremony took place in front of a stucco fireplace covered in candles and fresh flowers by Events in Bloom. “She was absolutely stunning,” Bryan says of his bride, who wore a Pronovias gown from Brickhouse Bridal. “I will never forget that first glimpse of her that day.”

Bryan and his groomsmen wore kilts, a nod to Bryan’s Scottish and Welsh heritage, and a nod to the couple’s own engagement, where Bryan proposed to Katy with the gift of a kilt in his family tartan. “The groomsmen were a little hesitant at first, but everybody liked it!” Katy says of the memorable attire. “We got a lot of laughs.”

At the altar, Katy’s bridesmaids wore simple navy tea-length dresses from Brickhouse Bridal, each tied with a plaid sash to complement the kilts. Katy’s mother wore a strapless navy taffeta gown with a sequin appliqué from T. Carolyn. Plaid ribbons accented the aisle chairs, while a bagpiper played during the couple’s processional.

Wedding consultant Terri Bishop of En Vogue Events helped plan both the ceremony and a reception that followed at the same location. The party kicked off with a festive cocktail hour, followed by a seated dinner of beef tenderloin and chicken cordon bleu. Bryan and Katy, who is wheelchair-bound, worked with a professional choreographer to orchestrate their first dance to “La Vie en Rose,” sung by Louis Armstrong.

After dinner, guests feasted on a four-layer buttercream and strawberry cake decorated with a fleur-de-lis design—a symbol associated with the French heritage of Louisiana, the state from which Bryan’s parents hail. Fleur-de-lis details also appeared in the invitations, programs, bridesmaid’s jewelry and on both the bride’s and groom’s fathers’ cufflinks. The red velvet groom’s cake, also from Cakes by Gina, took the shape of a Guinness pint glass. “It looked fabulous,” Katy says. “It turned out better than I ever expected.”

After leaving the celebration in a white Rolls-Royce convertible, the happy couple relaxed on a10-day honeymoon in Ireland.

Photo: Crabtree & Co

Best Wedding Toasts!

Jeannine & Daniel Toast from Robert and Virginia on Vimeo.

Trunk Show Alert- new to Texas!!

Trunk show alert!
Our favorite wedding gown boutique (Maison de Mode) is doing a trunk show this weekend. What makes it so exciting? They are featuring a designer that is new in the state of Texas! So these are Fabulous gowns that really are truly unique one-of-a-kind gowns. And they are offering 15% if you purchase your Ian Stuart gown during the trunk show.
Some cool stuff to know about the Ian Stuart line:
Winner of the UK bridal wear designer of the year award 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004.
“The theatrical gowns and provocative style that define the ian stuart bride are a reflection of his personal outlook on life, constantly finding inspiration from music, theatre and nightlife and absorbing elements of the culture which surrounds him this fuels his ability to create beautiful designs which appeal to brides worldwide”

Want the dets, alright calm down here they are:
Maison de Mode
www.maisondemode.com
2431 Rice Boulevard
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 527-8285

This Friday – Sunday

Friday 11 am – 6 pm
Saturday 10am – 5 pm
Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm

Don’t miss out on this one, or the discount of a lifetime for an unbelievable wedding dress!

A thank you from a wonderful client this past weekend:

Wedding Week 2010

Wedding Week 2010 is an educational conference geared
toward event professionals. You will have the opportunity to hear from
and speak with some of the most prominent industry professionals in
the nation. Wedding Week consist of 4 days of symposiums, workshops and
events directed toward elevating the special event industry... standards
and practices in event production, business consultation, and client
standards.

An annual event focused on trends, education, and networking for event professionals. This years event Wedding Week 2010 introduces 12 amazing speakers Preston Bailey, Sasha Souza, Diann Valentine, Donnie Brown, Stacie Francombe, Preeti Shah, Katie Martin, Andre Wells, Isha Foss, Pearl Taylor, Linnyette Richardson-Hall, and Janie Medley.

Wedding Week will cover the topics of Signature Design, Parties for Pennies, Make that Money, Honey, Eco-Beautiful Weddings, Oppulent Indian Events, Mazel-Tov! Planning amazing Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, and many more.

On one knee is still best

By TARA DOOLEY Copyright 2010 Hosuton Chronicle
Feb. 12, 2010, 4:04PM
Romantic ways to propose on Valentine's Day
RELATED STORY
A storybook romance

A formal proposal remains very much part of the marriage ritual for many brides and grooms, said Haley Hughes, owner of En Vogue Events, a wedding and event planning company based in the Heights. Getting it right can set the tone for what one hopes is a long and happy life together.

“Even if the couple knows it is coming,” said Hughes, “it is still a moment of excitement that sets everything in motion.”

For many, Valentine's Day offers just the right occasion. Hughes offers the following tips for getting it just right:
DO

1. Talk with the prospective bride (though Hughes doesn't discourage women from popping the question) about whether to ask parental permission. Sure, it's old-fashioned, but “dads can be very upset if boys skip that integral part.”

2. Pick a sentimental location. It doesn't have to be across the world on a beach at sunset. A park bench or restaurant that means something to the couple can make a nice setting.

3. Allow a bride a say in the engagement ring. After all, she is the one who will wear it. Proposing with inexpensive costume jewelry allows the couple to pick out a ring together.

4. Be creative. But no matter what, getting on one knee is still a preferred approach. “It is that movie thrill that every bride wants to have.”

5. Express your feelings. Four words won't cut it. “You don't have to go all Hallmark card on them, but say something from the heart.”
DON'T

1. Propose via JumboTron. Most women don't like it. Plus, it can lead to public humiliation.

2. Throw too much money at the proposal. It's the start of a long, pricey process that includes invitations and flowers and, perhaps eventually, braces and college tuition for children.

3. Include one family and not the other. If you propose in front of one set of parents, you run the risk of turning in-laws into outlaws at the starting gate.

4. Buy an engagement ring and then carry it around in your pocket waiting for the right moment. You wouldn't be the first to lose it.

5. Re-gift. If you bought a ring for one woman and that didn't work out, don't give it to another woman.

tara.dooley@chron.com

Plaza Club Open House

Want an elegant space with a view? Check it out:

Thanks!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who made it out last night to Warehouse Live!

Bailey Connor Catering www.baileyconnor.com
Cakes by Gina www.cakesbygina.com
Invitation Solutions www.invitationsolutions.com
Partyman www.partyman.net
Dream Bouquet www.dreambouquet.net
Over The Top Linen www.overthetoplinen.com
Akil Bennett http://www.akilbennett.com/
Quest Drape www.questdrape.com
Think Studio /www.thinkstudiohouston.com/
Your Makeup Expert www.yourmakeupexpert.com
Bella Vista www.filmtheday.com
Warehouse Live www.warehouselive.com

Creative Couple Makes Wedding Guests Want to 'Save The Date' - Topix

Creative Couple Makes Wedding Guests Want to 'Save The Date' - Topix

Wear that cake

Wear that cake and eat it too… « Gather and Nest
http://gatherandnest.com/?p=3208

Lying in bed this morning I was brainstorming ideas of things to make. I happened to check my phone and saw these unbelievable photos that my friend had posted on facebook of his friend Lukka Sigurdardottir who made this seriously unbelievable cake. ...

Engaged Maple Grove couple donates money for reception dinner to Haiti relief - TwinCities.com

Engaged Maple Grove couple donates money for reception dinner to Haiti relief - TwinCities.com

Open House

Warehouse Live is a unique wedding and event venue. Wanna check it out? Join us on January 26th for complimentary appetizers, beer, wine and champagne!

Learn more about them and see them in action in an actual wedding/reception venue.

When: January 26th Where: Warehouse Live
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM 813 Saint Emanuel Street, Houston

Do I have to RSVP? No, but if you do you will be eligible for some cool door prizes! RSVP to haley@envogueevents.com or call us and let us know you're coming - 281.414.0844

Who: Participating Vendors include:
Bailey Connor Catering www.baileyconnor.com
Cakes by Gina www.cakesbygina.com
Invitation Solutions www.invitationsolutions.com
Partyman www.partyman.net
Dream Bouquet www.dreambouquet.net
Over The Top Linen www.overthetoplinen.com

Engagements by Brooke Schwab

Check out these awesome shots Brooke got of Julissa and Trey!